Have you read a book where you keep anticipating the silver lining in the book and you keep checking how many pages are left for this to happen? Congratulations, you are not alone.
Never have I rushed a book like I rushed Hafastu Bebi. I wanted answers, scratch that, I wanted a happy ending. I wanted something, anything, but I was totally heartbroken at the end. The novel ended with no happy ending, proof that novelists are who they think they are.
Hafsatu Bebi is an Islamic book, one where the author didn't fail to portray the Islamic religion while enlightening non-Islamic readers on certain issues. For a non-Islamic reader like myself, I found it fascinating to learn more about some Islamic practices mentioned in the book.
PS: Spoiler Alert
The story begins by introducing Ibrahim Gaya and Zuwaira in 1998 and Hafsatu Bebi in 2021. From the book, the reader gets to wonder about the connection between the various characters, their stories, and the timeframe. As we proceed, we get to understand that the story was moving in different timelines but was connected to the present.
From the events of 1998, we got to understand that Ibrahim Gaya and Zuwaira are both parents of Hafsatu, their stories recounted their struggles, betrayals, pain, disappointments, and victories. We are also introduced to Bashir who is Hafsatu's supposed boyfriend, a cheat and a chronic womanizer. It didn't take long for it all to come crashing down, and we are introduced to Sadiq the perfect gentleman who saves the day, falls in love with Hafsatu, and is also a close friend of Bashir, Hafsatu's ex.
The story continues with Hafsatu and Sadiq's love blooming against all odds and Ibrahim and Zuwaira's love conquering all. These two beautiful love stories flow side by side across two generations, but only one survived.
We get to see the beautiful and loving Gaya family, Hafastu's growing career, her struggles, wins, relationships, fears, and so many other themes that were explored in this book.
Within the harmonious balance of the family, it doesn't take a lot to unravel long-buried secrets and truths that alter everything. Shattering hearts and changing one’s fate, Hafastu and Sadiq are caught in this web, robbing us of the happy ending we hoped for.
Hafastu Bebi is a romance novel that depicts love in its purest form, no holding back, no doubts, all of it surpassing every flaw and pain. I got to appericate the beauty of love the more I saw how characters in the novel loved wholeheartedly and never backed down. From love within people who are romantically involved to love between siblings and various families.
The plot twist is everything, as we never saw it coming, it hits us right in the face, and causes us to yearn for a second book. I rate this book 9/10, it is so good. Despite having a sad ending, there are so many lessons to be learned. The plot twist, themes, language, settings, romance, happiness, and pain, all turned out to make Hafsatu Bebi an incredible book.
Are you looking for an amazing book to read? I recommend Hafastu Bebi.
All images are mine except otherwise stated.
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